04.07.14

…or the Newark Star-Ledger in particular. No doubt holding a deep grudge from the way local papers had the temerity to report a 2008 sexual discrimination lawsuit that proceeded her appointment as Rutgers Athletic Director Julie Hermann told a bunch of journalism undergrads the Star-Ledgers recent layoffs were a cause for celebration. From the paper’s Steve Politi :

“If they’re not writing headlines that are getting our attention, they’re not selling ads – and they die,” Hermann told the Media Ethics and Law class. “And the Ledger almost died in June, right?”

“They might die again next month,” a student said.

That two of the 167 people laid off, Brendan Prunty and Dave Hutchinson, had in recent years dedicated their professional lives to chronicling the accomplishments of her university’s athletes just brings it to a perfect level of awfulness. Dozens more we let go at properties owned by The Star-Ledger’s corporate parent – outlets like NJ.com, The Times of Trenton and the South Jersey Times. Included in their cuts, too, were people who have covered Rutgers and its athletes for years.

In a statement from Rutgers, Hermann did not apologize or explain her attack on the newspaper, instead stating that she was sharing her experiences “in an informal way and out of the glare of the media spotlight.” Because who would have imagined that journalism students would have recording devices?